The Polygraph Machine: Detecting the Truth

The video discusses the invention and history of the polygraph, a machine created by John Augustus Larson in 1921 to detect lies by measuring physiological stress responses. Despite its initial adoption by federal agencies, the polygraph's accuracy was questioned, leading to its exclusion as evidence in federal cases. During the Cold War, it was used to test suspected spies, but its reliability remained controversial. Notable cases like Aldrich Ames and Gary Ridgway highlight its limitations. Today, polygraphs are still used, but their accuracy is debated, and states decide their admissibility in court.

How did the use of polygraphs change during the Cold War?

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What are the current views on the accuracy of polygraph tests?

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